Saint Joan of Arc

Catholic Community

SJA Justice Grants Awarded: This Is the Good News!

Our SJA Outreach Fund supports two cycles of Justice Grants each year. These grants are awarded to projects and organizations in which our parishioners are committed volunteers and leaders, and each grant application is accompanied by letters from parishioners who are involved with the project. This is how we partner with you in your commitments to God's justice and peace in our world. We recently awarded the following grants:

Busy Bee Foods: $3500. Led by high school youth, this project delivers fresh produce at exceeding affordable rates to those who do not have access to these foods. Letters of support from parishioners Mark Racchini and Cindy Racchini.

Iraqi and American Reconciliation Project: $5000. IARP promotes peace and mutual respect and understanding through art (including visual art, film and theatre); humanitarian relief projects and cross-cultural exchanges including cooking classes, community dialogue dinners, professional exchanges and Letters for Peace between Iraqi and American students. Letters of support from parishioners Thomas Moyer and Jane Bernauer.

Mental Health Connect: $1000. Provides community-based resources, support and education to improve mental health services and to connect individuals and families with the services they need. Letters of support from parishioners Jean Mills and Deirdre Armstrong.

Wallin Education Partners: $3500. This foundation awards scholarships to college students and pairs them with advisors, peer scholars, college support personnel and community and business leaders and advocates. Letters of support from parishioners Ron Eldred and Pat Eldred.

Clare Housing: $5000. Clare Housing provides a continuum of affordable and supportive housing options that create healing communities for people living with HIV/AIDS. Letters of support from parishioners Susan Stamson and Thomas Lasalle.

Joint Religious Legislative Coalition: $4000. JRLC brings Jewish, Christian and Muslim faith leaders together to craft a legislative agenda that reflects the common call of all these faith traditions and engages faith communities in advocating for justice. Letters of support from parishioners Myrna Engebretson and Chris Cloutier.

To find out more about these organizations, or to apply for a Justice Grant, check out our page on this website, stop by the parish center front desk, or contact Julie Madden at 612.823.8205x228 or jmadden [at] stjoan.com. Thanks to all who are involved in this process - especially the Justice Grant committee. This group of parishioners follows up with all the organizations that apply, and then meets to make our grant decisions. The members of the committee are Jeanne Leighton, Ryan Schultz, Judy Saumweber, Barb Schubring, Paul Leighton, LouAnne Sexton, Todd Dalebroux, Karen Waldron, Mary Jo Malecha and Kate Seng. And finally, a huge thank you to our Outreach Fund donors, who make these grants and partnerships possible! We are blessed to be a powerful presence for good news in the world, thanks to your support.